Rep. Ryan to speak at Irish event

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Rep. Paul Ryan will speak at the first-ever Republican caucus Irish breakfast on Sept. 18, according to the Irish Central website.

A new organization, Irish Republicans in the Senate and House, or IRISH, is hosting the event, the website states.

Ryan's office confirmed he will give a short speech at the event, to be held at the National Republican Capitol Hill Club.

Ryan, R-Janesville, is expected to address topics such as heritage, the peace process in Ireland and immigration, according to the website.

Ryan has become a prominent Republican backer of immigration reform. In previous speeches on the topic, he has compared today's immigrants to the immigration of his Irish forebears, who he said came here to escape the mass starvation of the Great Famine, often referred to in the United States as the Irish potato famine.